Book Review of 'The Day Sarah Ran Away' by Janell Goodrich York

Hello Bookworms!

I hope everyone has been doing well. Life has ramped up for me tremendously recently, with some good things and some not-so-good things, but this is life. Every season has its own unique challenges, and the one that is featured in this book just so happens to be the season I am also in, so when I say I felt this novel, I felt it.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Women's Fiction and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Day Sarah Ran Away by Janell Goodrich York, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Day Sarah Ran Away
Series: The Sisterhood Pie Pact #1
Author: Janell Goodrich York
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: August 19, 2025
Genre: Women’s Fiction

A heartfelt tale of discovery and resilience when plans fall apart.

Sarah Goodwin loved her life as a stay-at-home mom, pouring her heart into every moment with her only daughter, Emma. But now, Emma is off at college and rarely visits or answers her calls, leaving Sarah feeling adrift in a sea of routines—no more soccer games, fundraisers, dress shopping, or birthday parties. As each monotonous day blends into the next, Sarah longs for something more.

When Emma announces she’ll be home for the summer to plan her wedding, Sarah is thrilled at the thought of shared dreams, endless to-do lists, and the promise of reconnecting. But her perfect summer quickly unravels when unexpected events send her on a daring journey with new companions—an adventure filled with twists, revelations, and surprises she never saw coming.

As Sarah journeys west, questions loom. What will her husband do when he discovers she’s gone? Where will this journey lead her? And most importantly, what lies ahead for Sarah now?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

My Review

“She's realizing her world is spinning out of control, and there's nothing she can do to stop it.”

This novel couldn’t have come into my life at a more perfect time. I am going through the pains of empty nester life this year, and when you’ve devoted the last twenty years of your life to your kids and then that life comes to an abrupt end, it is imbalanced and downright rough.

It’s clear that this author has quite the talent of keeping her characters relatable and pairing comic relief with true heart and emotion. I am also blown away that this is the author’s debut novel. She was able to bring these characters to life, showing that what you see isn’t always what it seems, and how we are all going through our own struggles. To say I felt seen while reading this novel is an understatement. There were so many moments that I caught myself smiling. Each adventure with “the girls” was epic, and their adventures as a whole have me wishing I could find my own sisterhood to share life with.

When I say I had a smile on my face every time I picked up this book I am being completely honest, and this is something that rarely happens to me. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did but I fell in love. I know it will resonate with so many of us who are also facing our third acts.

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Author

Janell Goodrich York is a retired high school guidance counselor. She was born in Indiana, but raised in a small town in Southwest Missouri. Janell loves to travel, especially to beach destinations. She loves to hang out with her family and spoil her two dogs. Janell lives in Missouri with her wonderful husband, Jim. Her first book, The Day Sarah Ran Away, was published by Scrivenings Press August 2025.

Connect with Janell by visiting janellyork.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of The Day Sarah Ran Away and book swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 1, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 8, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!